The Sprout
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 181 October 2023
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The Sprout
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Directo rs: Jan et Bartlam, Judi Bo lder, John Clement s,
Michae l Cockman, Ag MacK eith
Editor
Ag MacKeith
South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk
Advertising Manager
Michael Cockman
50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Tel: 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk
Deliveries
Jan Shirley and Isabelle Hayes
9, Sweetmans Road OX2 9BA 07706 606719 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk
Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is
welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.
Advertisements: If you have print-ready advertisements in the correct format the last
day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all other
circumstances more advance notice will be needed. For details about exact sizes, quality
requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact the Advertising
Manager.
Advertising rates:
½ page: 1 issue £56; 3 issues £135; 5 issues £196; 10 issues; £336
¼ page: 1 issue £28; 3 issues £67.50; 5 issues £98; 10 issues; £168
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Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The Sprout
on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription – only £12 per annum, delivered to
your door. Contact: Janet Bartlam: 01865 453111.
Now also available online at https://archive.thesprout.org.uk/
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this newsletter,
mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for any errors that
may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not a vehicle of the
parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in a personal capacity.
Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual contributors.
All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid volunteers.
The Sprout is printed by The Holywell Press, and published by
North Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by
guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.
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The Sprout
Issue 181, October 2023
Contents
3 Botley Medical Practice
5 Scout’s Eye View
7 Do You Remember… Secret
Botley/ Apple Day
10 Meet…. Emily Smith
15 West Way Precinct Update
19 Planning Apps
21 Young Carers
23 Citizens’ Advice
25 Carol Kramer/ Skatepark
latest
27 Beautiful Sheds
29 Kennington Memory Club
31 Welcome to new doctors
31 Randoms
35 General Organisations
From the Editor
Welcome to the October Sprout. The cover shows an evocative
campfire image taken from an eleven-year-old’s rapturous account of
his first camp (p.5). and on page 31 there’s another exhilarating account
– of the packed meeting with the new practice that will take over Elms
Road Medical Centre. More Botley specials: sheds to envy (p27), latest
on the new skatepark (p25), surprising insights into Botley’s past (p7)
and on the same page – Apple Day coming up. There’s an interview
with Emily Smith (p10), a well known local figure who has done a lot to
earn our respect, and a tribute to Carol Kramer (p25), who died recently.
Finally, West Way Community Concern have got in touch with the latest
developments at the new shopping precinct (p15). Of course, the main
news that concerns us all is the unwelcome announcement that the
railway bridge will not open in October as promised, but will remain
shut for another year. We received an incandescent letter on the
subject, but, sadly, it was too late for this issue. The parish council is
negotiating a public meeting with Network Rail – let us hope they can
get Highways England to join them.
Ag MacKeith
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19 Beaumont St and Botley Medical Centre
From 1st October 19 Beaumont St GP Surgery will
be taking over provision of NHS GP services at
Botley Medical Centre. We are a long-established
Oxford GP practice, with many of our current patients
living in West Oxford and Botley. We are looking
forward to offering appointments at both the 19
Beaumont Street and Botley Medical Centre sites
and to ensuring that Botley and Cumnor residents
can access high quality primary care close to home.
The two sites will be run in an integrated manner and there will be medical
and nursing cover at both sites Monday–Friday 8.30–6.30pm. There will
be some temporary staff whilst we recruit to full capacity.
There is not space here to go into specific details of different aspects of
the service, but the current 19 Beaumont Street website
www.19beaumontstreet.com gives information about various
practicalities such as booking appointments, ordering repeat
prescriptions etc. Please note that from 1st October there will be one
phone number covering both sites, which will be 01865 240501
We hope to run a covid and flu vaccine clinic at Botley Medical Centre on
Saturday 7th October (although this is dependent on us being provided
with sufficient vaccine). We will invite eligible patients as soon as we have
confirmation. Further opportunities for vaccination will be available at later
dates. Please make sure we have your up-to-date contact details (there
is a section on our website for submitting changes to contact details). We
are aware not all patients have access to the internet and SMS and will
do our best to publicise vaccination clinics in other ways too. If you would
like to volunteer as a marshal please do get in touch.
Clearly the transition period will involve change, and undoubtedly have
challenges, but we are looking
forward to working with you over the
coming months and years to help
you with your healthcare needs.
Kate King (Practice Manager) and
Dr Jayne Haynes (GP).
[See page 31 for an account of the
public meeting where these plans
were presented.]
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A Scout’s Eye View
This Summer I attended the 15th Oxford Scout camp. Fourteen scouts
were going on an adventure. We met at our pavilion and travelled to the
Macaroni Downs Farm in Gloucestershire. This was my first scout camp
and my first time without parents for a whole week! I have never been
apart from them for more than one night before, so I was VERY
NERVOUS – on a nervous scale from 1 to 100, I was 1,000! But I was
also very excited. That was also at 1,000 on the scale.
On the first day it was roasting hot. We
had lunch and put up the three tents. It
felt like it took three hours. By the time
we were done it was very hot. It was a
good job we had help or it would
actually have taken three hours! After
that we went to get fire wood and then
we unpacked our stuff. We played
games in the dark and then we sat by
the fire. The flames were very hot by it.
The next day was even better than the
first.
If I had to pick 3 words to describe my
experience they are: exhilarating, fun and toughening.
We did a great variety of exhilarating activities. We played many different
games, went on long walks, explored our camp, cooked, collected
firewood and made fires. We learnt new skills, including how to build a
catapult and how to tie a reef knot. We were never BORED!!!!!! The camp
was toughening because there were early mornings, chores, so many
activities that our legs hurt and NO TECH. This last point really scared
me, but I had so much fun I didn't miss it. That really surprised ME!!! We
had so much fun that time went by in a blur. Days felt like hours and hours
felt like minutes. I made new friends. It rained a lot, unfortunately the rain
stole a day of being outside, but we persevered and we played card
games and went ten-pin bowling.
The scout leaders were very supportive and understanding. They were
kind and empathetic. It felt like they understood what each of us needed
and they gave us the encouragement to try everything and not give up. I
loved every second of scout camp and would recommend it to anyone.
Scouts is very good and you can come and try it out for yourself.
Adam (aged 11)
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Do you remember…
Secret Botley
Or should that be ‘seedy’? A few years ago, we looked into rumours about
a casino in the Seacourt Tower (or Hartford Motors, as it was known then)
and learned that there was indeed a night club on the first floor, called La
Ronde. It was the scene of many a pleasant evening out for David and
Ann Peart. “There was a small band – just a trio, that played dance music
like waltzes, bebop and jive – and tables for dining as well as some
gaming tables. It closed after perhaps five years, for lack of support –
sometimes it was so quiet that we wondered how long it could last.”
A bit too exciting for Botley, perhaps! Well, we knew about that, but what
about the “topless hairdressers” in the same building?? Seriously? Our
informant assures us that it did exist because ‘a friend went there to get
his hair cut’. And the striptease (or was it lap-dancing?) that went on at
the George after hours? Any information will be treated in strictest
confidence…. AgM
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BOTLEY APPLE DAY
South View House, Old Botley
SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER
3—5pm
Are apples going to waste in your garden? Bring and share them
at Botley Apple Day. People-powered apple press to turn
bruised apples and leftovers into juice. Apples identified. Apple
recipes and storage ideas. Bring knives, juice containers. No
apples? Just come anyway. Fun for all the family!
Phone 01865 724452 for details or just turn up.
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Meet… Emily Smith
Local resident Emily Smith is the new
CEO of the Oxford Food Hub, having
previously been Leader of Vale of
White Horse District Council. I talked
to her about her reasons for that move,
and what the new job is like.
Emily grew up in Sunningwell, and has
been living in Botley since 2006. She
has always been interested in politics
and democracy, and joined the Liberal
Democrats in 1997 because of their
policies on voting reform. But she first
became a parish councillor in 2014 to
try to get a skate park for Botley: “I had been volunteering at the youth
club. The young people had set up a petition for a skate park and were
asking for help to make it happen. They campaigned and spoke at a
parish council meeting asking for a replacement skate park [but without
success]. It was heart-breaking that those young people’s first experience
of democracy was so negative. I think that to make change in the
community, you can try to influence decision-makers, but if that doesn’t
work you need to become a decision-maker.”
Emily was on the North Hinksey Parish Council for 18 months, became a
District Councillor in 2015, and was Leader of the Council from 2019 until
December 2020. She loves being able to push things in the right
direction, and help make the community a nice place to live.
However, it is clear that being a politician can be a bruising experience.
“We get so many people having a go at us on social media. But ‘keyboard
warriors’ are a small minority and when you meet and talk to people in
person, the vast majority are really lovely, and you can talk through
problems or disagreements.” Politicians’ hours aren’t family-friendly, and
people are often surprised how little councillors get paid. District
Councillors get about £5000 per year, on the assumption that most of
what they do is volunteering. Even the Leader of the Council, a 50hr a
week role responsible for £60million of public funds and crucial public
services, only gets about £22,000 per year, with no pension or sick pay.
“While my family could make this work for a few years, the low pay really
acts as a barrier to diversity,” says Emily. “You can see why nationally
it’s mostly retired, well-off people who become politicians. As Leader of
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the Council, I tried to support and promote people who wouldn’t usually
get into politics, like single parents, younger people and those from ethnic
lower-income households. There are a lot of barriers, but being a
councillor is a fantastic experience. You learn so much, meet people you
wouldn’t usually come across and really feel part of the community.”
With bills to pay and only being in her early 40s, Emily decided to look for
a paid job (alongside remaining as our local district councillor). Her time
in politics had given her lots of management and financial skills, and the
Oxford Food Hub was the kind of organisation she feels comfortable in.
“It’s a really busy, friendly place that has grown over the years so that we
now have two warehouses, six vans and almost 100 volunteers.
Following a period of rapid growth, we are playing catch-up with admin
and governance systems, and my first major project is to develop a three-
year strategy for the charity.”
It's a difficult time for the Food Hub, which picks up surplus food and
makes it available to 200 other charities, working to relieve food poverty.
Supermarkets have become better at reducing their surplus; apps like
Too Good to Go and Olio mean that some surplus is going to individuals
instead of charities; and charities’ need for food has soared. There are
huge areas of deprivation in Oxfordshire, and the cost-of-living crisis is
affecting people who haven’t needed free food before. Emily is exploring
ways to get more food grown locally, keeping surplus food local, ensuring
that people have access to healthy food. One possible venture is setting
up satellite locations for the Oxford Food Hub, for instance in Banbury.
“My background in local government is serving me well in the new post.
And,” says Emily, “I’m hoping that as well as securing the Food Hub’s
future in Oxfordshire, I can continue to influence political decisions about
food, waste and health.”
Riki Therivel
[Those who went to the Oxford FoodHub’s 15th anniversary party on 17th
September were encouraged by Emily’s account of the Foodhub’s plans
for the future. We note in passing that Curtis’s Yard is up for sale. It is a
prominent player in the local economy, and a flourishing centre for local
businesses like the Tap Social, the Natural Bread Co, and the various
local car repairers, plumbers’ and car parts suppliers, etc. It certainly
needs some tlc, but let’s hope this doesn’t mean it’ll be smartened up to
a point when it becomes unaffordable for small businesses – a lesson to
learn from the West Way precinct. Ed]
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West Way Precinct Update
Construction: The progress of construction of the large block on the
corner of West Way and Westminster Way is plain to see. The
construction company is Gilbert Ash, with Mace acting as project
manager. The client is Grainger plc, who describe themselves as ‘one of
the UK's largest professional landlords’. So, the apartments will be to rent,
rather than to buy.
Mace and Gilbert Ash were expected to have regular Community Liaison
Group meetings, to update the local residents about progress and to
address any issues arising. After a first meeting in March, no further
meetings have been held. The failure to schedule further community
liaison meetings is disappointing as these were meant to be a forum for
two-way communication for the community – to learn about progress with
the site and to raise questions not only on the building work but in the
operation of the site.
Church Way: A condition of the planning consent was that Church Way
(the through route between West Way and Arthray Road) would be semi-
pedestrianised, with traffic only allowed between the hours of 4pm to
10am. There would be no parking on Church Way, other than deliveries.
There are now concerns over the
safety of Church Way – poor
barriers and signage, unclear and
unenforced rules, dangerous
driving and parking that makes the
route unsafe for shoppers and
visitors of all ages. These issues
have been raised to the Botley &
North Hinksey Parish Council
multiple times by parishioners.
Therefore, the Vale of White Horse
District Council and Botley & North
Hinksey Parish Council have
requested that Church Way
become pedestrianised at all times,
with only deliveries and emergency
vehicles being able to use the
route. To achieve this, they require
that the owners of the centre,
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Botley Development Company (BDC) apply to the council for a change in
the conditions. BDC have agreed to do this, but have not done so.
Attempts to get movement on this from Mace, BDC and Savills (the
managers of the centre) have failed so far. The Liberal Democrats have
launched a petition, which can be found at
https://www.oxonld.uk/pedestrianise-church-way
Parking: There have been many reports of people being sent penalty
notices for parking ‘infringements’. While it’s fairly clear that you need to
pay if you stay more than two hours and Automatic Number Plate
Recognition is used, many are sent penalty notices if they use the car
parks twice in a day. It seems that if you are there from, say, 9am to 9:30
and then from 2:30 to 3pm you are often assumed to have stayed 6 hours.
Apparently upon being asked about this, “Smart Parking” (who operate
the car parks on behalf of BDC) said that their technology couldn’t cope
with this sort of parking behaviour, implying that only one entry and exit
record per vehicle can be stored.
West Way isn’t the only car park in the area to have such reports. Most
car parks along Botley Road are private ones, run on a similar basis,
many also with reports of ‘overzealousness’.
Electric vehicle charging points: As part of the planning application,
and in line with council policy, electric vehicle charging points were to be
provided in the car parks. There has been a long-drawn-out saga in trying
to get these functioning. The responsibility for them, as with most
charging points nationwide, is with an independent company, and Savills,
as managers of the centre struggled at first to get their chosen supplier
to get the charges functioning. There have been many complaints about
them – ridiculously low charging rates and apps that simply don’t work or
change without notification. In the absence of a joined-up policy for
charging stations, aspirations to increase electric car use will not be met.
Student accommodation: The student accommodation is now operated
by Prestige Student Living. In February, Savills submitted a planning
application (P23/V0420/MPO) to change the conditions of the student
accommodation. This condition is currently: For a period of at least 43
weeks per year, not to permit the Occupation of any units of Academic
Residential Accommodation by any persons other than full time students
attending universities in the City of Oxford, the Vale of White Horse or
South Oxfordshire, or employees including (but not limited to) interns and
research assistants working or studying at academic institutions in the
City of Oxford or the Vale of White Horse.
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Savills would like to allow a broader range of occupants, and requests
rewording to: For a period of at least 43 weeks per year not to permit the
Occupation of any units of Academic Residential Accommodation by any
persons other than college students, university students or occupants
studying for academic purposes, or employees including (but not limited
to) interns and research assistants working or studying at academic
institutions.
The application has not yet been decided. Botley & North Hinksey Parish
Council haven’t submitted a response to the consultation.
Contacts: WWCC’s role is to
provide a means of communication on the
development and to raise issues of concern with Mace, BDC and their
contractors, and t
o monitor the planning conditions until the development
is built. We can be contacted on westwayconcern@gmail.com. To ask
questions or raise concerns about how the centre works, e.g., parking,
pedestrian areas, contact the Facilities Manager for the centre – Lisa
Himpson of Savills, who is regularly on site and can be contacted
at Lisa.Himpson@Savills.com
Mary Gill, West Way Community Concern
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LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P23/V1810/HH
12 Chestnut Rd. Rear extension &
loft conversion.
9 August
TDD: 4 Oct
P23/V1904/HH
14 Montagu Rd. Drop kerb.
16 August
P23/V1782/FUL
3 Laburnum Rd. Change of use to
7-person HMO. Demolish garage,
outbuildings, & rear structure. Build
2-storey side & single storey rear
extensions.
17 August
Target
Decision Date:
12 October
P23/V1912/LDP
Begbroke House & Eaton House
(Wallbrook Court) 3 North Hinksey
Lane. Install solar PV roof on
existing roof.
17 August
TDD: 12
October
P23/V1962/HH
3 Chestnut Rd. 2-storey side &
single rear extension + rear dormer
& front skylights. Loft conversion.
24 August
TDD: 19 Sept
P23/V1967/PDH
53 Laburnum Rd. Single storey
rear extension.
29 August
TDD: 10 Oct
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Young Carers need our Support
I work for Be Free Young Carers, a
small charity based on the Harwell
Campus that provides vital support
for young carers based in South
Oxfordshire, the Vale of the White
Horse, and Oxford City itself. We are
currently supporting 550 young
carers, but we know there is much
more to be done. It is estimated that
there are over 12,000 young carers in Oxfordshire alone, who are
currently left isolated with very little support. It is our hope to change
this. We believe that every young carer deserves the chance to have a
fulfilling childhood and a bright future, unhindered by their caring
responsibilities.
As a charity, one of our services is to provide trips to places these children
would otherwise not have access to, whether that's something big like a
theme park or something small like a trip to the beach. These trips and
activities are vital to provide young carers with respite from their caring
role and offer a chance to make friends with other children in the same
position. They allow the young carers the opportunity to be children for a
few hours. Here is feedback we have received from our young carers'
parents:
"Thanks to you and the team for all the visits this Easter, H and J had
such a great time ! They are already asking to go back to the ice skating
and the escape room with the family, if only we could find the time and
energy to take them."
We also rely on volunteers to help facilitate these trips, as well as being
the foundation of our befriending service. Our befrienders offer key
guidance to our young carers with any struggles they are facing. Whether
this is with school, caring or general anxieties. They meet once a week
for one-to-one support, as well as doing a fun activity of their own choice.
We are currently looking for volunteers. If this is something you feel is
worth exploring, please do get in touch. I'm more than happy to chat. Call
me on 07894 442287 or 01235 838 554
Callum Watkins (Volunteering & Befriending Co-ordinator
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Can We Come and Talk to You?
Citizens Advice believe everyone deserves access to independent, free,
advice to help them deal with life’s problems and challenges, but we need
more volunteers in Oxford to make that happen. No prior knowledge is
required and all training is provided
Volunteers can make a real difference whether it's:
● helping people online, over the phone, or in person
● raising funds
● researching and campaigning for policy change
● helping the service run smoothly in admin and customer service
● acting as a trustee.
Volunteers come from all over the place. They include students, people
getting back into work after career breaks, people with part-time jobs,
carers, and people who’ve retired.
Every volunteer gets something different from their volunteering
experience. When prospective volunteers apply Citizens Advice discuss
time commitment, the range of roles available, and explore which roles
might be suitable. For those looking to get back into work, or considering
a career with Citizens Advice,
volunteering can be a great place to
start. We particularly welcome
applications from people of colour,
disabled people, people with
physical or mental health
conditions, LGBTQ+, non-binary
people and people with experience
of life’s challenges..
Keen to find out more? Here’s what
to do next – phone 01865 721849
(leave a message if necessary),
email office@cab-oxford.org.uk or
write to Citizens Advice c/o Wesley,
New Inn Hall Street, OX1 2DH.
There’s more about volunteering on
the national Citizens Advice
website:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
/about-us/support-us/volunteering/
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Carol Kramer (Clements) 1936–2023
Many readers will remember Carol
Kramer (latterly Clements) who was an
invaluable source of knowledge to
many, particularly about nurturing
plants, nutrition and wellbeing, and a
familiar face in the area since moving to
Raleigh Park Road in 2004. Carol ran
her own clinic from her house until
retiring following the pandemic, and was
a familiar sight on her allotment off
Southern Bypass. She was involved
with the Sprout and was also an active
supporter of many local environmental and other campaigns and
initiatives, such as the Friends of Raleigh Park. Carol sadly passed away
on 18th August 2023 peacefully at home with her husband, John, and
one of her daughters by her side. Her funeral on 5 September saw St
Peter and Paul Church packed with family and friends. She will be greatly
missed.
Anna Kramer
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Botley Bowl Skatepark
Now we have planning permission, it’s all hands to the
wheel to get fundraising. Where will the money come
from?
There are national grant-giving bodies for initiatives
that encourage young people to get active, like Sport
England and the National Lottery and many others. And then there are
local businesses, which often have funds to support projects in the local
community. Do you work for one of these? Would you like to see a
skatepark in Botley? Could you find out if any money might be available,
for all or part of the project? The whole sum needed is around £180,000,
but we can break it up into smaller sections that local businesses might
sponsor.
Meanwhile, the campaign is planning a series of events to keep everyone
interested and informed, starting with a pop-up café on 24th September.
If you have any ideas, or would like to help in any way at all, please get
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in touch with the parish council skatepark working group via
northhinksey-pc.gov.uk or talk to the Sprout.
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The Beauty of Botley Sheds (Part two)
Here are a couple
of Botley sheds
whose owners
have reason to be
proud. The first
was submitted by
Hilary Nixon who
feels that
decorative detail of
“a litter of happy
piglets does bring
country life to a
suburban garden”,
thus neatly tying in
with July’s porcine
feature. It’s a shame the Sprout’s format can’t do justice to the banks of
gorgeous flowers – but you can see them in colour online at
archive.thesprout.org.uk/
The second shed belongs to Cllr
Alistair Bastin. It’s fetchingly
framed by a flourishing
grapevine, festooned with
perfect bunches of black grapes.
They won’t be there for much
longer, though, as harvest
approaches, and they will soon
be transformed into this year’s
vintage. Who’d have thought the
Botley terroir would have been
so fruitful!
That’s all for the moment, but
don’t hide your shed under a
bushel, share it with admiring
neighbours! Just send two
photos with a line saying what
you like about it, to Grant on the
Sprout editorial team at
grantn00@outlook.com
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Day Centre News
‘Living well with dementia’ is our motto at Kennington Memory Club, so
we were very pleased to be able to showcase our activities at Healthfest
Abingdon in the Market Square in early September. This is an annual
event promoted by the organisation Healthy Abingdon where many
agencies operating locally are represented, highlighting their objectives
and advertising the services they provide.
Abingdon is the major hub from which Kennington Memory Club draws
its members, as well as serving all the villages around, including Botley.
It was set up after a Day Centre for people with dementia in Abingdon
was closed down. The Club now operates a safe day-support service on
two days a week for those with dementia, providing its members with an
enjoyable day out and invaluable ‘time off’ for carers.
To contact the club Organiser, Helen, please ring on 07852 883496 or
email memoryclub1@outlook.com for more information. Alternatively,
you can visit the Club website by scanning the QR code below or going
to kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk
Isobel Birse
STOP PRESS!
Kennington Memory Club are holding an AUTUMN
SALE on Saturday 21st October in St Nicolas
Church, Abingdon at 10am. Lots of bargains!
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Warm welcome to new medical practice
It was standing room only at St Peter and St Paul Church on 20th
September as over 250 patients filled the church, despite pouring rain, to
meet the doctors, nurses and managers from the Beaumont Street
Practice which will take over Botley Medical Centre on October 1st.
Loud applause greeted the appreciation which County Councillor Judy
Roberts expressed for the new practice coming to Botley. It will be called
the Beaumont Elms Practice, with sites at 19 Beaumont Street and Elms
Road Medical Centre (Botley Medical Centre renamed to mark a new
beginning).
Patients were heartened to hear that the 8am scramble for same-day
appointments will be a thing of the unlamented past. Instead, if people
need an urgent appointment that day they can ring any time. Future
appointments can also be requested by phone.
Concerns were expressed by those living outside the catchment area that
they had been allocated elsewhere by the Integrated Care Board. It was
explained that since the doctors did home visits for the housebound by
bicycle (to save time), their own previous experience showed it was not
possible to do this beyond a certain distance. While people may not need
house visits now, there will come a time when they will, and transferring
practices at such a time is not wise.
The participant who emailed after the meeting: “This evening’s meeting
was so encouraging,” spoke for us all. Chris Sugden
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Randoms
Dean Court Community Centre
Community Coffee on Wednesday mornings is back after the summer
break. Pop in for a cup of tea or coffee and homemade cake from
10.30am to 12noon, and enjoy a lovely chat with your neighbours! On
Wednesday 1st November community coffee will include a short talk from
AgeUk on Benefits at 11am, promoting awareness of benefits you may
be entitled to. Please come for coffee from 10.30am in the Orange room
as usual, and stay to listen for some useful information. There is also
Community Tea on the third Sunday of each month, 2.30pm–4.30pm
(15th October, 19th November and 17th December) – homemade cakes
and a savoury option at very reasonable prices, tea and coffee with free
refills, and lots of good company! Antje Frotscher
35
36
Farmoor Reservoir
Waterside Café, at the Oxford Sailing Club at Farmoor Reservoir, is now
under new management, with a menu that features fresh local ingredients
and home baking. It will be open to all from 8:30am to 5:30pm and will
serve daily brunch, lunch, sandwiches, salads, cakes, and daily specials.
Once up and running they look forward to hosting evening pop-up events.
Could be a welcome addition to the local scene!
Botley Library
Our regular events continue. At present we have:
• Lego Club Tues 15.30
• Adult Craft Club Thurs 14.00
• Rhymetime Fri 10.00
• Scrabble on demand, Fridays at 4
We have a digital helper to assist with computer use available every
Thursday 2–4 pm. On Tuesday 24th October there will be a ‘Half term
Craft Event’. Particularly for ages 5–10 yrs but all welcome. Free, but
limited numbers, so bookings must be made at the desk or on 07922
849680. Botley Library is committed to the ‘Warm Spaces’ scheme so
there will be provision for customers to help themselves to a free hot
drink, as the weather becomes colder.
37
Air quality website
wwwoxonair.uk is a new community website, providing air quality
guidance and resources across the county. It has been created by the
county and city councils, in partnership with various district councils,
including the Vale, to integrate all relevant air quality-related information.
It replaces https://oxfordshire.air-quality.info/, and includes several new
features, including:
• Air pollution forecasts up to five days in advance
• Air pollution alerts for Oxfordshire
• Air quality footprint calculator
• Air quality pledges for individuals
• Information on individual council air quality projects across the
county
with a map and real-time readings of monitoring stations across
Oxfordshire including NO
2
, PM
2.5
and PM
10
, as well as general advice on
air quality and how it is monitored. Of course, it is only measuring
pollution, not tackling it, but still, you can’t tackle what you haven’t
measured. We are invited to get in touch with them if there are other
features we would like them to include.
Botley Flyer
This still exists, as a way to get into town on the bus, so here’s an update.
It runs on the hour at 11, 12 and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. Leaving from West Oxford Community Centre, it comes down
the Botley Road, and the first (and only) stop is at West Way shops. From
there it goes down the Eynsham Road to the A420 flyover, where it turns
right onto the 420 and goes down to the Botley Interchange, north to Pear
Tree, then into town where it stops at the Jericho Medical Centre. The
other stop is outside the County Hall in New Road. From there it goes
down the Abingdon Road and back into Botley, ending up at WOCA. The
vehicle is wheelchair accessible, but space needs to be booked in
advance. Passengers can call 01865 768329 to book.
Autumn Adventures for families and friends
Lots to do at Hill End Camp, on Saturday 7th October from 10 till 4, when
you can explore beautiful Hill End in the autumn! There are wild walks,
natural painting, campfire with s’mores to cook, conkers to collect,
seasonal crafts and a scavenger hunt. Bring your own picnic or get drinks
and cakes from the pop-up café. There is a charge, but it’s reasonable,
and you can book at: www.hill-end.org/activities/upcoming-events
38
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Jean
Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison
Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com
mail@thefourth.org.uk Meets every weekday
evening. Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, Pavilion, Fogwell Rd.
Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)
07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk
Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8
weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 810159
Terri Matthews: clubsecretarybbgfc@gmail.com
Mondays, 9-11, Stay & Play Botley School, and Fridays
10-12,Baby Group at Seacourt Hall botleybridges.org
Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, West
Way, Facebook or email botleylarder@gmail.com
Second Tuesday in the month, early evening.
Contact csugden@ocrpl.org
2nd & 4th Sats 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car park, or
Tues 11 am Library botleyhealthroutes@gmail.com
07922 849680. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Thursdays 10-12 Seacourt Hall Lounge, Diccon James
07740 611971
Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie Warner
Ox.721386
Weds 7pm-9pm in term time. Louie Memorial Pavilion.
botleyyouthclub@gmail.com
Thursdays, 19.30-21.30 St Andrew’s Ch. Steve Morris,
chair. www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com
Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
01993 684494 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ tel 01865 721026
Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
39
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,
call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Family club Email: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org
07824 881680 www.oxfordsportsltc.org
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare clubs
Mon–Fri 7.45am–6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10–12.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr 07798
743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Parish Council
clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
Oxford Flower Arranging
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259
Oxford Harmony
Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30 pm at Seacourt Hall
Contact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,
twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
Email: raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Seacourt Hall Management
Committee
Contact Lottie White, 07452 960100, or see
https://www.seacourthall.org.uk
Shotokan Karate Club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Stagecoach Botley
Botley School, Saturdays 9:00am–3pm Performing
Arts for 4-16 yr-olds 01865 590510 or 01235 390810
West Oxford Bowls Club
Dave Ellerker 07931 603801
wobc.membership@gmail.com
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age)
http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Alison Jenner 07598 251161
alisonjenner@yahoo.com
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
40
Botley Baptist Church,
I Church Way
Contact: Building Manager 07742
662668 botleybaptist@gmail.com
The Rosary Room
Ya rn ell s H ill , Elm s Ris e
Contact: Maria Brown,
Tel : 018 6 5 24 7 98 6.
SS Peter & Paul Church
Ha l l , We st Wa y, Bo tle y
Contact: 01865 242057 or
osneybenefice@outlook.com.
Wo m e n' s I nst i tu te Ha l l,
North Hinksey Lane
Contact: Val Warner
Tel . 018 6 5 24 5 27 3
Seacourt Hall,
3 Church Way
Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,
or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk
Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,
Elms Rise, Botley
Contact: Darren Blase 241254
louiememorialpavilion@gmail.com
Ox f o rd Ru g by Cl ub,
North Hinksey Village
Contact: Mary Bagnall
mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.
North Hinksey & Botley Churches
Times of Ser vices (once r esumed) and C ontacts
St . Law rence , C h u rch of Eng l and, Nort h Hin k sey Lane
1st, 2nd, 4
th
, 5
th
Sunday 11 .30a m Holy Communion
3r d Sund a y 11 .30 am Mat in s
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, Wes t Wa y
Sundays 9.30am Holy Communion
Wednesdays 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House, West Way
1st Saturday each month, 4–5.30pm Messy Church for children and carers
Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or r e v c lar e @ b tint e r net . c o m
See table above for Church Hall enquiries.
Ou r La d y of t he Rosar y, Rom a n Ca thol ic , Ya rne l l s H i ll
Sa tur da y 6. 3 0p m Ma s s
Su nd ay 9. 15a m Mas s
Fr Da nie l Lloy d 075 8 4 32391 5 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Bo t l e y Ba pt is t Chu r ch, 1 Church Way
Su nd ay Ser vi c e 11 am
Wedn e sday Zoom Bib le St u dy 7. 30 pm
Ch oir pr act ic e Th u rsda y 2pm
Dia n e Me l c he rt 0 77 42 6626 6 8 ww w.bot leyb a pt ist chur c h. org
Ca lvar y Chapel
Su nd ay se r vices on 1s t Flo o r, 1 Chur ch Way at 9.3 0 am wit h
cr è ch e, c hild r en’s Su n da y sch o ol and yout h gr ou p
Pa st or St eve Vicker y 018 6 5 586332
contact@ccox.church website: www. c cox f or d.c h u rch
41
What’s On
October
Sun 1st New arrangements begin at Botley Medical Centre
Sat 7th 10am to 4pm, Hill End, Family Day – Foraging!
Sun 8th 3–5pm, South View, Old Botley, Apple Day
Mon 9th
2.30pm, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk:
Famous Local Folk: The People behind the Blue
Plaques of Oxfordshire
Thur 19th 7.30pm, Seacourt Hall, Parish Council Meeting
Tues 24th Botley Library, half-term craft event for 5-10s
Mon 23rd 2.30pm, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk:
Fran Sandham will be recounting his challenge of a
lifetime, A Solo Walk Across Africa
November
Wed 1st 11am, Dean Court Community Centre, during the
community café, AgeUK short talk about benefits
Sat 11th 11am, West Way Centre, Remembrance Day
Sun 12th 10.45am, Botley Cemetery, Remembrance Service
Botley Library welcomes people looking for somewhere warm to sit,
and will provide hot drinks on request.